Chinese Poker: A Comprehensive Guide

Chinese Poker offers a distinct variation of poker that differs significantly from more traditional forms, such as Hold'em, Omaha, or Stud, particularly in how the game is played. Nevertheless, if you already understand the standard poker hand rankings, you'll likely find this exciting twist to be quite accessible and enjoyable.

In essence, players begin by receiving 13 starting cards (yes, that's a total of thirteen!). From these, they must categorize the cards into three separate hands: two hands with five cards each and one hand that contains three cards. The aim is to create the highest-ranked hands possible, considering how the other participants have set their own hands.

This game is filled with excitement and is appealing even to those who might be newcomers, largely due to the substantial element of luck involved, and the fact that players have complete control over how they organize their hands.

As a result, to a certain degree, you have the ability to influence your outcome in this poker variation by determining the best arrangement for your cards!

Ultimately, you do not need to be a seasoned expert to perform well in this game; just make sure you familiarize yourself with the poker hand rankings before beginning!

Table of Contents

Chinese Poker Rules

Given that each player will receive 13 cards at the start of every game round, the standard maximum number of players is four. This setup is the most frequent one, but it's also completely valid to play with two or three players.

Once players have organized their cards into different hands, they have the option to either 'surrender' (as defined below) or opt to play their hands. The remaining players will then reveal their cards in a clockwise fashion, beginning with the player on the dealer's left, after which the scoring will take place. (We will elaborate on this scoring process in the 'Scoring' section later.)

There are several important aspects regarding the rules and options of the game that are worth discussing:

• Winning Instantly : It’s important to highlight that if a player manages to create three flushes or straights in their three hands, they automatically win the entire round, independent of the other players' hands, and collect three units from each player who has not yet surrendered.

• Surrendering : This is an optional rule (though commonly included) that players should agree upon before starting the game. It allows a player to pay a set fee (typically between the potential losses they’d incur if they lost 2-3 hands, perhaps 2 to 2.5 'units') and choose not to compete their hand against the other players. Fortunately, they also won’t owe any royalties for that round, as we will discuss later.

How to Play Chinese Poker (Gameplay)

1. Dealing : The dealer, who changes in a clockwise manner after each hand, starts by distributing 13 cards to each player, commencing with the player immediately to their left.

2. Setting : Players then need to arrange their cards into three designated hands: two five-card hands ('the middle' and 'the back') where they aim to create the highest-ranking combinations, and one three-card poker hand ('the front') where neither straights nor flushes count against it.

• IMPORTANT: 'The back' must always be the strongest hand among the three.
• IMPORTANT: The hand at 'the front', even if it consists of three of a kind, must be positioned in the front and must still ensure that both middle and back hands are of a higher rank than the three of a kind. Failing to adhere to this could result in penalties, as noted in the 'Improperly Set Hand' section above.

3. Arranging/Exposing Hands : Players then place their three hands in a systematic order on the table, face-down, one in front of the other. The back hand should be closest to them (the strongest hand, 5 cards), with the middle hand in front, and the front hand (3 cards) positioned the farthest from the player. (Refer to the diagram below.)

4. Are You Playing Your Hand? Players will announce in turn whether they intend to play their hand, starting with the player situated to the left of the dealer. (This is also the point where a player might choose to 'surrender', if applicable, as discussed earlier.)

5. Royalties : Next, players will disclose their royalties in the same sequence. (Further details about this can be found in the 'Scoring' section.)

6. Revealing of Hands : At this stage, players will turn their cards face-up, revealing their front, middle, and back hands.

Chinese Poker Hands

As previously mentioned, it's vital to be aware of the standard poker hand rankings, ensuring that you can sort your hands correctly from strongest to weakest.

Here’s a reference chart highlighting the various poker hand rankings along with illustrative examples of each:

1. Royal Flush: 8-7-6-5-4 (all of the same suit)
2. Straight Flush: 8-7-6-5-4 (all cards of the same suit)
3. 4-of-a-Kind: A-4-4-4-4
4. Full House (Boat): A-A-A-J-J (three of one rank, two of another)
5. Flush: A-J-8-4-2 (all of the same suit)
6. Straight: 8-7-6-5-4 (of various suits)
7. 3-of-a-Kind (Set/Trips): A-K-5-5-5
8. Two Pair: A-A-J-J-2
9. One Pair: A-A-7-4-2
10. High Card: A-Q-9-6-3 (all different suits without any specific connection or pairing)

To reiterate what was emphasized in the 'Rule' section, it's crucial to remember that if a player's three hands consist entirely of straights or flushes, that player is declared the overall winner of the hand by default!

Additionally, it's important to clarify the hand possibilities for the 3-card hand. Flushes and straights do not apply here, and given the limited number of cards, high-ranking hands are scarce.

Chinese Poker Scoring

Unlike the blind or ante structures common in other poker variants, Chinese Poker employs a system of units, which are pre-arranged monetary amounts that participants agree upon prior to starting the game.

Consequently, there’s no need for poker chips like in other variants, with scores being monitored via simple pen and paper. This facilitates a smoother process, allowing players to settle all debts at the end of their session instead of paying after every single hand.

In terms of scoring and how units are won or lost, each player earns one unit from every opponent they outperform, and this procedure is carried out separately for the front, middle, and back hands.

For instance, let's illustrate the ranking for the *back* hand. Alongside each player is the total number of units they have gained or lost for this hand, along with explanations of how those numbers were determined in the following section:

• Player 1 (with the highest back hand): + 3 units
• Player 2: + 1 unit
• Player 3: - 1 unit
• Player 4 (with the lowest back hand among the four players): - 3 units

Awarding of Points

1. Player 1 collects units from each opponent because their back hand supersedes those of the others, resulting in a total of +3 units.
2. Player 2 gives one unit to Player 1 due to their loss, but conversely collects units from Players 3 and 4 for winning against them, resulting in a total of +1 unit.
3. Player 3 has to provide one unit each to Players 1 and 2 as losses, but recoups one unit from Player 4 for their victory, yielding a total of -1 unit.
4. Player 4 owes one unit each to Players 1, 2, and 3 as they lost their back hand against all three, resulting in a total of -3 units.

After concluding the tally for the back hand, the scoring process will similarly repeat for both the middle and front hands.

Bonus Points

There can also be scoring for extra 'bonus' units awarded (as decided beforehand) if a player wins a diverse combination of hands (front, middle, or back) in the same round of play:

• In some variations of the game, if a player wins two out of the three hands, they earn an additional unit from each of the other players.

• In other formats, this bonus unit is granted only to players who manage to win all three hands.

Two primary methods of gameplay determine how these 'bonus' units are awarded. Players should make a decision and come to a consensus on which method they would prefer to use (if any) before gameplay begins:

• 1–6 method: Bonus units are awarded only when a player wins all three hands, granting three bonus units from each opposing player. Winning only two of the three hands does not earn any bonus.

• 2-4 method: If a player wins the majority (either two or all three) of the hands, they collect one 'overall winner' bonus unit from each of the remaining players.

Keeping Score More Easily

Particularly in games with multiple players, keeping score can be made uncomplicated by recording results between each participant separately. Start by documenting wins and losses from the player to the left of the dealer.

Next, compare this player's hands against those of every player to their left. Proceed with the player sitting immediately to their left, assessing their hands against all other players that haven’t been accounted for yet, finishing up with the last comparison between the dealer and the player sitting three places to their left (or directly to their right), assuming a total of four players.

A typical score sheet for one player might resemble something like this:

Player 1’s Scoreboard

Key Points About Chinese Poker Points

1. In this particular variation of poker, it's important to understand that you can possess the second-best hand yet still make a profit because your hand remains superior to some of your opponents’ hands. This contrasts with many standard high-hand poker games that designate only one winner or award money per hand, unless there's a split pot situation.

Chinese Poker Royalties

You’ll notice in the 5^thA notable point in the 'Gameplay' section highlighted the concept of royalties, which are bonuses given to players possessing particularly strong hands.

While the exact value of each royalty can be modified and should be settled before the game begins (referring to the charts below for guidance), there are two distinct types of royalties possible in Chinese Poker:

1. Hand-Ranking Royalties (these are predetermined bonuses based on specific hand rankings and the position of that hand—front, middle, or back).

2. Naturals (this is a special royalty awarded when all 13 cards create a designated 'special hand' category – see below for further details). Notably, naturals are awarded before any player has the opportunity to surrender, meaning the player will not engage in the hand but will simply receive bonus points based on this achievement. Game play can continue among the remaining participants if they choose.

• Hand – 3 units
• Six Pairs – 3 units
• Three Straights – 3 units
• Three Flushes – 3 units
• No Broadway Cards* – 3 units
• Dragon (13 distinct cards from Ace to King) – worth 13 units.

*optional

Chinese Poker Game Variations

Chinese Poker has two primary variations: Open-Faced Chinese Poker and a variant known as Pineapple . Both include a fun aspect called 'Fantasy Land'! Beyond these main versions, additional lesser-known variations of the game exist.

In this section, we aim to delve deeper into these fascinating modifications:

• Open-Faced: In Open-Faced Chinese Poker, the core rules remain similar, but the method by which players arrange their cards into the three different hands diverges significantly! Players commence with only 5 of their ultimate 13 cards, placing them face-up to form the different hands sequentially starting with the player positioned to the dealer's left. Be aware that once a card is placed, it cannot be rearranged!

Following this initial phase, players will draw one additional card at a time and integrate it into one of their previously set hands on the table. This cycle persists until each participant has drawn and played all 13 cards.

Even though players do not immediately know their full set of 13 cards, they can still make a foul by incorrectly setting the rank order of their three hands at the end, which results in them forfeiting all bonuses or royalties they are entitled to. This risk of misplay is notably higher in Open-Face compared to Classic Chinese Poker. Traditionally, if a player fouls, they owe six units to each opponent who has not fouled. Additionally, should they surrender, they forfeit two units to each opponent who chooses not to.

As for scoring, it occurs similarly to classic Chinese Poker, where players earn one unit from their foes for each hand they win. The 1-6 scoring system is typically utilized in Open-Face, meaning that if you manage to sweep and win all three hands, each opponent would award you an additional 3 units. regular Royalties work slightly differently in Chinese Poker, largely because players don’t have full visibility of their hands from the outset. Thus, it’s far less probable for someone to achieve a royalty, particularly the hand-ranking royalties, which suggests that the rewards for these should be considerably elevated compared to standard Chinese Poker.

The ensuing chart provides a suggested baseline for unit values regarding royalties in Open-Faced. As noted, the specific quantity of units can be negotiated by the players ahead of time:

Since royalties cannot be discerned until the hand setting is fully complete (as not all cards may have been drawn yet), royalty calculations are carried out during the scoring of each hand.

Fantasy Land: This is an optional yet frequently engaged aspect of Open-Face, wherein if players establish a pair of Queens or higher in their front hand without foul, they enter Fantasy Land. Participants gain a notable edge for their ensuing hand by being dealt all 13 cards simultaneously, laid out facing up on the table, only after the hand-setting has concluded for the others. To remain in Fantasy Land during the subsequent hand, players must complete one of the following tasks:

Achieve a full house (or better) in their middle hand; or

• Trips in their front hand;
• Pineapple: This variant closely resembles Open-Faced Chinese Poker, but the distribution of cards differs post the initial 5-card laying. Instead of receiving only one card at a time after the first five, players are dealt 3 cards on each subsequent turn and must incorporate 2 into their hands on the table, while discarding the final card face-down. (Keep in mind that since other players can’t observe the discarded card, choosing to toss cards known to be sought by opponents can be strategically beneficial!)
• Quads (or better) in their back hand.
• Due to the drawing mechanics unique to this variant, only 5 turns are conducted among the players, thus accelerating gameplay. Additionally, the maximum number of players is limited to 3 because of the card quantity needed for the discard pile. Typically, Fantasy Land rules from Open-Faced Chinese Poker still apply here. Yet, in Pineapple's version of Fantasy Land, players receive 14 cards and must discard one face-down when organizing their final hand.

7-2 Lowball: In this variation, the middle hand utilizes a 2-7 low hand.

• Criss Cross: This is a two-player adaptation of the classic Chinese Poker variant. Participants are dealt two hands of 13 cards each, and each hand competes directly against its counterpart across the table. Importantly, players are prohibited from exchanging cards between their two dealt hands! This format promotes slightly quicker gameplay, enabling players to play more hands in a condensed timeframe without needing to shuffle and redeal each time.

• The Wheel Straight: In this variant, the wheel straight comprised of A-2-3-4-5 is ranked just below the royal straight of A-K-Q-J-T.

• Thus, when organizing the hierarchy of straights, it would typically be arranged as follows:

Chinese Poker Strategy and Tips

• Keep Track of Your Opponents’ Face-Up Cards (In Open-Face): Observing the cards visible on the table is instrumental in ascertaining which cards remain in the deck, as well as gauging the probability of obtaining specific cards necessary for your hand. By focusing on the cards that have been taken out, you can better assess your winning chances and odds.

• Avoid Treating Your Front Hand Like Discarded Cards: The front hand is responsible for 33% of the total points you can gain (or lose) in each round. Therefore, don’t focus solely on crafting strong hands in the back and middle, neglecting the importance of the front hand. It carries significant weight and could turn a losing streak into a winning one if you strategically manage how you arrange all three hands, inclusive of the front hand.

• Play with Caution and Lower Stakes: Given the inherent variance and volatility of Chinese Poker, it’s advisable to engage with lower stakes than you might initially consider comfortable. Particularly, take into account the potential for royalties; envision if someone secures that royal flush and how severely it could impact your bankroll, irrespective of your gameplay or hand arrangement each round! While the opposite could also happen, it’s vital to acknowledge that Chinese Poker presents a high degree of variance and isn’t suited for high stakes or funds that you cannot afford to lose.

• With the score sheets arranged in this manner, players are able to monitor their performance more effectively during the match, easily determining whether they are winning or losing. This setup also simplifies the process of settling scores with fellow players at the end of the game.

Chinese Poker Online

Although the precise value of units assigned for each royalty can be flexible and should ideally be agreed upon ahead of time (refer to the charts provided for standard values), the game of Chinese Poker encompasses two primary types of royalties:

Hand-Ranking Royalties (where players receive defined bonuses based on specific hand rankings and their placement—whether in front, middle, or back).

1. Naturals (this special royalty is awarded when all 13 cards belong to a designated 'special hand' category – further details below). It's worth noting that naturals are granted prior to any player choosing to surrender, and the player will not actually play that hand but will simply collect the corresponding bonus points. The remaining players have the option to continue the hand if they wish.

2. A Dragon hand consisting of 13 distinct cards from Ace to King earns 13 units.

3. Royalties can sometimes be awarded to any player with a qualifying hand, while in other situations, only the player with the superior royalty in a given round will receive it.

4. For instance, if one player has a straight flush in their back hand while another has a royal flush, the royalty will exclusively go to the player with the royal flush.

5. There are essentially two primary variations of Chinese Poker: Open-Faced Chinese Poker and a variant known as Pineapple . Both formats introduce a legendary concept called 'Fantasy Land'! Beyond these major types, there are also several lesser-known variations of this poker format.

Chinese Poker Summary

After placing the initial round of cards, players draw one card at a time, adding it to one of their existing face-up hands. This continues until they have played all 13 cards from their hand.

Though players won’t know their complete set of 13 cards initially, they can still commit a foul by incorrectly ordering their three hands by the game’s end, which can lead to the loss of all potential bonuses or royalties. Foul scenarios are notably more frequent in Open-Face compared to Classic Chinese Poker. It’s generally accepted that a player fouling must pay six units to every opponent who hasn't also fouled. Additionally, surrendering will cost two units to every non-surrendering opponent. As is common, these unit amounts are subject to agreement before the game commences.

The scoring process resembles that of traditional Chinese Poker, with players winning one unit from opponents for each hand they beat. The 1-6 scoring method is typically followed in Open-Face, meaning if a player sweeps and wins all three hands, each opponent then gives that player an extra 3 units as a bonus.